GUIDELINES FOR SELF-CARE

#1 Symptom: General Cold Symptoms
Home treatment: Drink 8 glasses of liquids; Plenty of rest. Abstain from vigorous exercise; Don't smoke; Humidify room w/ a vaporizer. Take warm, steamy showers. Wash hands frequently

Over the counter medicine:
Decongestant containing psudoephendrine (like Sudafed); Avoid using antihistamines for your cold symptoms. They may cause excessive drying and make secretions too thick for the body to eliminate.

Additional advice:
Avoid dairy products as they increase mucus and congestion. Sherbet & Popsicle are ok. Do not use decongestants containing psudoephedrine at bedtime- they tend to wake you up. Nicotine paralyzes the protective cells lining the respiratory tract. Carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke reduces the oxygen content in the blood, contributing to fatigue; If you are prescribed an antibiotic, be sure to take it until it is all gone, not just until you feel better.
-------------------------------------------
#2 Symptom: Fever
Home treatment: Cool sponge baths. Cold liquids. Rest

Over the counter medication: Take Tylenol or Ibuprofen. Avoid aspirin if you have the flu or the chicken pox.

Additional advice: Always dress lightly with a fever. Bundle up only if chilled.
--------------------------------------------

#3 Symptom: Mucous producing cough
Home treatment: Drink plenty of clear liquids (water is best). Humidify your room with a vaporizer. Take warm, steamy showers. If you are a smoker- stop!

Over the counter medication: Take a cough syrup with an expectorant of Glyceryl Guiacolate (Robitussin)

Additional advice: Don't try to suppress a mucous producing cough. It is a natural healing aid. Avoid milk & milk products. Avoid antihistamines. They tend to make secretions thicker.

--------------------------------------------
#4 Symptom: Frequent, dry, hacking, cough
Home treatment: Humidify room w/ vaporizer. Take warm, steamy showers. Drink plenty of fluids.

Over the counter medication: use throat lozenges. Use a cough syrup with a cough suppressant such as Dextromethrophan (Robitussin DM)

Additional advice: Dextromethorphan may cause drowsiness and constipation. Avoid aspirin if you have the flu or chicken pox or if you are taking an Ibuprofen medication.
----------------------------------------------

#5 Symptom: Headaches & body aches
Home treatment: Drink plenty of clear liquids. Rest

Over the counter medication: Take Tylenor or medications containing Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)

Additional advice: Avoid Ibuprofen if you have diabetes or kidney problems. Take Ibuprofen with food.
-----------------------------------------------

#6 Symptom: Sore throat, hoarseness
Home treatment: Rest vocal cords. Don't whisper, it strains the cords. Gargle w/ salt water (1/4 tsp. salt to 8 oz. warm water). Put honey & lemon in tea. Use a vaporizer. Drink fluids.

Over the counter medication: Use throat lozenges, lifesavers or cough drops. Any medicated lozenge will work. Throat sprays such as Chloraseptic may be helpful.

Additional advice: Keep your throat continously moist by drinking fluids, garglging, and using the lozenges recommended.
-------------------------------------------------

#7 Symptom: Stuffy nose
Home treatment: Humidify with vaporizer and take steamy showers.

Over the counter medication: Avoid nasal sprays unless prescribed. Prolonged use may cause rebound nasal membrane swelling and make the symptoms worse.

Additional advice: Remember- decongestants for a cold, antihistamines for an allergy!